Course Descriptions

Vocational Nursing and Psych T - VNPT
Course Classification

Courses numbered 1-49 — are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. Courses thus numbered are transferable to four- year institutions. Agriculture courses are designed to parallel the work taught in similar courses at California Polytechnic State University or at California State University, Fresno but may not carry the same number.

Courses numbered 50-99 — are associate degree level courses. Courses thus numbered are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses Numbered 100-201 — are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial.

Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree, and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer, and non-degree applicable courses:
(AA) Associate Degree
(CSU) Transferable to California State University System
(UC) Transferable to University of California System
(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

  • VNPT-050
  • Anatomy for Nurses
  • Credit(s) 2

Anatomy for Nurses
VNPT 050 will present an overview of basic human anatomy and physiology necessary to provide psychiatric technician and vocational nursing students with the foundational understanding of the structure and function of healthy human body systems.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
Advisory(s):
HS 005
  • VNPT-051
  • Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Credit(s) 5

Fundamentals of Nursing
VNPT 051 will present basic nursing care skills and the role and responsibilities of the professional nurse/psychiatric technician. Students will learn entry level patient care skills including the application of critical thinking and the nursing process.

Class Hours:
90 Lecture
Prerequisite(s); ENG 051A, Math 101, or VNPT 090, VNPT 050, or BIO 032:
Advisory(s):
HS 005
Corequisite(s):
VNPT 051L, VNPT 081
  • VNPT-051L
  • Fundamentals of Nursing Clinic
  • Credit(s) 3

Fundamentals of Nursing Clinic
VNPT 051L will present basic nursing care skills and the role and responsibilities of the professional nurse/psychiatric technician. Students will attend course in both skills laboratory and community patient care environments including skilled nursing facilities. Students will be required to travel to community sites.

Class Hours:
162 Laboratory
Corequisite(s):
VNPT 051, and VNPT 081
  • VNPT-060
  • Life Span for Nurses
  • Credit(s) 2

Life Span for Nurses
VNPT 060 will present an overview of basic human development from gestation though adult necessary to provide psychiatric technician and vocational nursing students with the foundational understanding of the human life span.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
  • VNPT-070
  • Psychology for Nurses
  • Credit(s) 2

Psychology for Nurses
VNPT 070 will present an overview of human psychology and the many approaches psychologists take in understanding human behavior.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
  • VNPT-081
  • Pharmacology 1
  • Credit(s) 1

Pharmacology 1
VNPT 081 is an overview of basic pharmacological principles, terminology, legal, and safety aspects of medication administration as it pertains to the role of the psychiatric technician. This course will help students understand drug classifications, effects, and client teaching principles with emphasis on anti-infective, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal and endocrine medications.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A, MATH 101, VNPT 090, VNPT 050, or BIO 032
Corequisite(s):
VNPT 051, VNPT 051L
Advisory(s):
HS 005
  • VNPT-082
  • Pharmacology 2
  • Credit(s) 1

Pharmacology 2
VNPT 082 is a continuation of basic pharmacological principals, terminology, legal and safety aspects of medication administration as it pertains to the role of the psychiatric technician. This course will help students understand drug classifications, effects, and client teaching principles with emphasis on: central nervous system drugs, medications used to modify behavior, immunizing agents, immune-suppressives, chemotherapeutics, respiratory system medications, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, gastrointestinal medications, and antimicrobials.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
VNPT 081
Corequisite(s):
PT 061, and PT 061L
  • VNPT-083
  • Pharmacology 3
  • Credit(s) 1

Pharmacology 3
VNPT 083 is a continuation of basic pharmacological principles, terminology, and legal and safety aspects of medication administration as it pertains to the role of psychiatric technician. This course will help students understand drug classifications, effects, and client teaching principles with emphasis on: adrenergic, cholinergic, antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic drugs.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
VNPT 082
Corequisite(s):
PT 071, and PT 071L
  • VNPT-090
  • Math for Medical Professio
  • Credit(s) 1

Math for Medical Professions
VNPT 090 is a basic skills math course designed primarily for students entering or enrolled in vocational training related to health care. The course focuses on the foundational math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Students will build on basic computational math skills to solve conversation problems between different systems of measurement.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture